The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-06
HARASSING THE CORONER
The Democratic Gang Continues Its
Spiteful Annoyance of DR.. Wagner.
It's Unfair Treatment Regarding His Official
Reports-He Will to Conduct His Office
independently of the Commissioners.

Two weeks ago Journal reporter made
search for some of Coroner Wagner's reports, but
could find nothing except the receipts of Van
Vorhis & Spencer. So regularly were they car
ried away that DIR. Wagner during the months
of June and July refused to file
any reports at all in the clerks Office
Last Friday, however. he concluded to and did
file with the clerk his reports for the months Of
June and July. When he did so, he said to Mr..
Sullivan that as soon as they were of record he
would like to have them again, in order to an
swer several letters of friends of persons who
had died suddenly. Mr.. Sullivan told him
he could have them as they were re-
corded. VanVorhis and Spencer, day or
two afterwards heard that the reports had been
filed, and gave notice to Clerk Sullivan that they
must not be allowed to go back into the hands OF
Wagner, but must be turned over to them Yes
terday afternoon the record clerk finished re-
cording the report, and just as he had completed
the work, Coroner Wagner came in and asked
for them. The clerk told him that he had re-
ceived instructions from Mr.. Sullivan to hand
all the papers over to County Commissioner
Sahm at he through with them.
''Mr. Sullivan told me could ha We the pa
pers," said DR.. Wagner, s'and even if he hadn't,
l have a right to take them"
''Mr. Sullivan says you can't have them and
you can't" responded the clerk, picking up the
reports and putting them under his arm
'You have no right to refuse me those pa
pers," continued DR.. Wagner II am the first
applicant for them. I have offered you my
ceipt, and public officer you not refuse
to let me have them"
The conversation became very spirited, and
while it was in progress a messenger was dis
patched from the clerks Office for Van Norhls,
who came and given the papers by
the clerk. There an exchange of warm
words between DR.. Wagner and Mr. Van Vorhs,
which ended by the latter leaving the Office with
the public documents as quickly as possible.
DR.. Wagner then served notice that he would
never file another report with the clerk until he
Rad personal pledge from Mr.. Sullivan that
his papers would be allowed to remain in the
Office.
There seems to be Q determined effort to
harass the coroner in every way possible. In
taking his report from the Office they made it
impossible for him to answer the numerous in
quiries that come TO him from persons who
have had relatives killed: His April and May
reports taken bv the same attorney.
who to be the leader of the fight against
him, they were filed. and still alb
sent from the clerks office. 1t is supposed they
in the possession of VanVorhis & Spencer.
The only excuse Mr.. Van Vorhis offered for
wanting the reports yesterday was that he had
TO 60 through them and see how much the COM
missioners should allow the coroners deputies,
and the witnesses, for the two months The
excuse, it Is claimed, was not valid, for the
reason that the fees had already been allowed,
and besides it is not necessary that the reports
should be examined in order to what is due
the witnesses. The law makes it the duty of
the coroner to file with the commissioners
port at the end of each month. and this he has
done In this report is sworn statement from
each witness to his services and from that
the commissioners can make the allowance.
The gang that tried to 9efraud the coroner
out of his election is at the bottom of the whole
difficulty. For the purpose of making much
trouble for him as possible they require that.
among other things, he shall, make affidavit four
times each blank as to the date the testimony
of last witness was taken. This DR.. Wagner
refused to do He made affidavit once, but
knowing that the scheme was originated for the
purpose of imposing upon him great deal of
extra labor ard costs, he refused to
follow the order of 81 the commits
soner as promulgated by Mr.. Van Vorhis.
In the ConaughtoE murder case DIR. Wagners
predecessor was allowed pay for six days service.
There eight ten statements. and
a single one of them does the date on which they
were taken appear. They simply dated In
dianapolls. and there is nothing on the report to
show whether the man was murdered year
ten years ago With dates the statements
court of inquiry could toll whether
the coroner was day or week
Oh the case When Attorney Van Vorhis was
abusing DR.. Wagner in the clerks Office yester-
day afternoon, a journal reporter called his at
tention to this case and asked him how 1t was
the commissioners could allow pay for six days
services such a report. He said he didn't
know anything about 1t. II wasn't looking after
this thing then" said he. sit bad over
sight. but am running things differently since
Wagner came in"
Dr. Wagner states that he has reached the
conclusion that the only way for him conduct
his office efficiently is to run it independent of
the commissioners. He will file no more bills
for his own services until his term expires. and
then file bill for the entire term. The com
missioners have given him notice that they will
allow him nothing for his services unless
Judgment is rendered against them, and he will
save costs by bringing suit for the entire
amount at once.